Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1887-02-12

the crowd had O"en steadily pouring In
from every quar- er, for miles around, all
eager to witness the violent death of n
human creature, much more intelligent and
finely organized than themselves, and,
probably, much less liable than they 10
commit the hideous crime of which he had
been convicted.
Already the crowd had become i'm
patient, and shouts of Bring out the pris-
oner! were beginning to swell the uir and
penetrate the walls of the prison. The
brutal element was now fairly aroused.
There was no installing the purport Of
that warning cry.
The prisoner understood it, shivered,
turned paler-a shade paler, if such were
possible-and sunk helplessly on the rude
continuance which served the purpose of
bed.
The bloodhounds have scented me" he
whispered through his white lips. There
are but few moments left to me. l feel
sick and faint already. l wish l might die
quietly here where I am. You have been a
good friend t. me; promise that you will
stand by me to the last
He grasped my arm hard as lie spoke,
and | gave him the desired promise. This
seemed to give him a momentary comfort.
Il dread the heartless ruffians outside,
know they would pelt Inc with stones and
other missiles unless some friend stood by
me. For the love of God. don't leave me
for moment till after it is all over! You
are my friend-take what money ! have
left, claim my poor body the moment the
Sheriff will allow you, and SEQ it decently
inferred"
I was choking with emotion, and could
only reply with an earnest hand pressure.
In the meantime the crowd outside were
growing more and more impatient. The
moments flew. Londer and louder grew
the clamorous shouts of the multitude
The hands of my watch already pointed to
the fatal minute. There was the hurried
tramp of feet in the passage, and the next
moment We heard the key turn in the lock.
Tho poor young man drew back with
CHASTITY groan. | saw by the sudden wild
glare of his eyes that his mind was fast I'M
settling. His poor, attenuated body seemed
to shrink up within itself.
They have come for me! Ha! ha! they
have come for mel" We're his words.
In another moment the turnkey had en-
tered followed by the Sheriff, and one or
two of his Deputies.
Come, Warner" said the turnkey, in
half grutf, half soothing tone, cts time.
Now, show your courage, man, and don't
break down. Toe the music, Where
there's no chance there is no use
in whimpering. Take my advice
and play it out with n ligh hand. Ten
thousand people are outside ready 10 cheer
you if you don't break down"
"Stand off" shouted Warner, fercely,
coiling hims If up, and glaring at the Turn
key as he approached. Its no so, ye
dastardly bloodhounds, it's no 60"
HNps II 10 ,rnin cold tho fur,1 H\o,,
must 90: there's no help f II iti'
IF you are his friend" said the Sher-
if, turning to me with a frown, 81 desire
you to persuade him to go peaceably, and
not compel us to use force.
Il have nothing to do, sir, with the order
of his execution" l replied. sharply. If
yonr laws compel you to murder an limo
cent man, you must do it on your own re-
sponsibilily. not mine"
At a sign from the Sheriff, the turnkey
and one of his assistants erappled with the
prisoner, who fought and struggled with
the desperation of madman. He was
soon overpowered, however, and was borne
out of the cell III a fainting condition.
The cool air in the passage revived bin,
and then he begged piteously for little
more time, an hour, Il half, a quarter; but
this was denied him; and, i'll the wild frenzy
OF the moment, calling down the curses of
heaven upon their heads, lie was dragged
to the steps of the scatfold, and then. amid
the ieers and Kisses Of the pitiless crowd,
shouldered up on the elevated platform.
Presbyterian clergyman w"s in attend
ance. and, after brief prayer, during
which the prisoner, pale as death, was sup
ported on either SIDE by an official the fatal
cord was adjusted around his neck, and the
nod Il
was no longer any opposition more than il
he had been dead.
When asked if he had anything to say,
he made no reply-at least, no audible re-
ply; and the question was asked a -ain.
Tell him to give us speech, cried q
drunken ruffian at the foot of the gallows.
This was at the close of the clergyman's
prayer, and before the moose was adjusted.
Finding that he could not, or would not,
answer, the rope was then placed around
his neck and the cap drawn down.
Scarcely were the Ireliminaries arranged,
when a faint shout was heard in the dis
lance, proceeding from the river road, as
it was called, which led through an imme-
diate village called Flushing, to GreenLoro.
This road, for more than mile, was
as straight as an arrow, and at its farther
most extremity single horseman was seen
wind. The day was remarkably still, and
every eye, even to the executioner's, was
bent in that direction.
On came the horseman, shouting and
waving his hand at every leap of the flying
steed. His words were not yet audible,
but that he was the bearer of some impor-
tant message affecting the prisoner, could
not be doubted, and the inference of itself
was sufficient to retard the fatal proceed
ings.
At length the words were distinguished
ble
Stop the execution Stop the execu-
toni"
1t was taken up by the multitude, and
the air rang and echoed in thunder tones
that thrilling, electrical cry.
The crowd made way for the approach
ing Eolseman, and second glance, as he
dashed through the open space to the foot
of the scaffold, showed me, in the flushed
and mud despatched figure, the sanguine
old gentleman, the mammoth Spectator,
the pro- hetic seer and patron of the city of
Greensboro, Nehemiah Kinks.
"Set the prisoner at iiberty!' he shouted.
Another man has confessed it not two
hours since, on his death bed-William
Griffith, of the Irving House!"
Warner moved not. He was deaf TO the
old genteman's inspiring words; he was
deaf to the welcome shout that for one sim
gle inst mt seemed to rend the heavens in
twain. He was still hanging like dead
weight on the arms of the two deputies
who supported him. The moose was lifted
from his neck, the cap raised from his
L,a,, 4 a. lntn L.,